Laurens de Plus hit by a car and has Vuelta a Espana participation at risk

Laurens de Plus has not had the same performances since arriving at INEOS Grenadiers in 2021 that he had at Jumbo-Visma, however this year he has consolidated his role as a domestique in the British team and has made his way into the shortlist of the Vuelta a Espana. Now that place is at risk.

Thanks to the driver for driving me from behind. Fortunately with a better outcome than my colleagues last week. Please be careful with the weak road user," de Plus said on social media, sharing pictures of severe road rash and the damage his bike sustained in a recent crash where he was hit by a vehicle. The accident happened in the Flandres region where he lives.

De Plus has finished the recent Vuelta a Burgos in 22nd place, supporting the team in it's overall classification win obtained by Pavel Sivakov. With 44 days of racing but no Grand Tour in his legs, he has had his plan revolve around the Vuelta, where he has been expected to protect the likes of Richard Carapaz and Ethan Hayter.

With several teams announcing this morning their lineup for the final Grand Tour of the season, INEOS Grenadiers are set to reveal theirs in the coming days. The team is expected to chase GC win after Richard Carapaz lost the pink jersey on the final day in the mountains at the Giro, and also stage wins with the British all-rounder.